Crafting Identity in Every Piece
Brooklyn-based designer Casey Perez didn’t start out aiming for fame—she started with curiosity. After years working under other brands, she founded her own label, exploring materials directly: metal, wax, clay. That process-first mindset—letting sketches evolve with the hands—is central to her work. Her artistry reflects a philosophy where lab-grown gemstones or traditional stones don’t just show decoration—they narrate identity.
From early days making beadwork and friendship bracelets to her first production pieces, Perez’s journey reminds us that jewelry is as much about story and voice as sparkle.
From Learning to Leading
Perez grew up in Dallas in a first-generation Mexican American family. She studied psychology and art history at NYU, falling in love with jewelry through a senior elective. She then sharpened her craft working at brands like Pamela Love and Joomi Lim, freelancing for fashion labels before stepping out on her own in 2020.
Her pieces today—14k gold earrings, pieces set with diamonds, mixed metals—speak both of heritage and innovation. They also touch on what many contemporary consumers expect: authenticity, transparency, and ethical sourcing—a shift mirrored in the move toward ethical jewelry and Lab-Grown Diamonds Guide.
Personal Style, Cultural Influence
Her inspirations run wide: art, architecture, nature, and culture. Yet Perez doesn’t distance herself from craft—she’s hands-on with prototyping, soldering, setting stones. She blends traditional techniques with new materials, often letting the material guide design.
Her background—family craft, informal education—shows that great jewelry isn’t only born in big studios, but often at benches with meticulous care.
Why Her Story Matters for the Industry
Designers like Casey Perez illuminate a gap: many brands chase trends, but few embrace the full arc of innovation—from materials (including lab-grown diamonds) to sustainable practices, to letting creator voice show through.
As consumers increasingly demand sustainability and ethics from jewelry-makers, what we celebrate should include creators who build with intention, not just with status.
AIDI’s Perspective
At AIDI, we believe voices like Casey Perez’s are the future of jewelry. When craftsmanship meets sustainable gemstones and supply chain transparency, jewelry becomes more than adornment—it becomes meaning. The rise of lab-grown diamonds, ethical jewelry, and visible authenticity shows that people want more than sparkle—they want story, origin, and values.